Sunny Deol’s upcoming crime thriller Suryaa: Ant Se Aarambh Tak has come under scrutiny ahead of its theatrical release on November 20. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has written to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, requesting an urgent review of the film over concerns about its portrayal of doctors and the possible normalisation of violence against healthcare professionals.
The medical association has raised objections to the film’s treatment of alleged medical misconduct, corruption and physical attacks on healthcare workers. It has urged the authorities to examine the content and consider appropriate action before the film reaches theatres.
Why Has the IMA Raised Concerns About Suryaa?
The controversy emerged shortly after the teaser for Suryaa: Ant Se Aarambh Tak was released on October 19, coinciding with Sunny Deol’s 69th birthday. The promotional material indicates that Deol plays a retired police officer who investigates medical malpractice and systemic corruption following a personal tragedy.
The IMA has identified four major areas of concern: the portrayal of alleged misconduct as representative of the medical profession, depictions of physical assaults on healthcare workers, the safety of medical personnel, and the potential damage to trust between doctors and patients.
The association has questioned whether presenting corruption and violence in this manner could encourage negative perceptions of doctors and hospital staff.
In its communication, the IMA warned, “Scenes depicting physical assaults on doctors, nursing staff, and hospital personnel, particularly when presented as heroic or justified acts, risk normalising violence against those committed to saving lives.”
The medical body has also stressed that allegations against individual healthcare professionals should be investigated and addressed through appropriate action. However, it maintains that the conduct of a few individuals should not undermine the reputation of the many doctors who work honestly and dedicate themselves to patient care.
Suryaa: Cast, Director and Production Details
Directed by M Padmakumar, Suryaa: Ant Se Aarambh Tak marks his debut as a Hindi film director. The movie is an official remake of the 2018 Malayalam crime thriller Joseph.
Sunny Deol leads the cast, which also includes Ravi Kishan, Pragya Jaiswal, Tanushree Chakraborty, Manish Wadhwa, Jisshu Sengupta and Tinu Anand.
The film is produced by Deepak Mukut, Hemmant Mukut and Lokesh Mukut, with Kamal Mukut and M M Moviez presenting the project. Karan Razdan, Neeraj Pathak and Mayank Sharma Dadhich are credited with the screenplay, while Santosh Thundiyil ISC serves as the director of photography.
IMA Urges Government to Consider Appropriate Action
In its letter to Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the IMA has called for an impartial assessment of the film and appropriate corrective measures from the filmmakers, if necessary.
The association has also requested that a ban or other action be considered if warranted under the applicable law. It has appealed for urgent intervention, citing concerns related to public health, the safety of healthcare workers and the future of medical education in India.
With the November 20 release approaching, attention is now on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and how it responds to the medical association’s objections. The controversy has placed the film’s depiction of the medical profession under scrutiny even before its theatrical debut.